Ketchum has earned a rare and unique distinction and I couldn't be prouder of all who helped make it happen.

This week, we had the pleasure to announce that our city has been designated a "Dark Sky Community" by an international organization committed to protecting nighttime skies.

Ketchum is the first city in Idaho to achieve this status and just the 11th nationwide. The only other place in Idaho with night skies as clear and amazing as our is Craters of the Moon National Monument, which has been recognized as a "Dark Sky Park" by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

One of my goals is to identify ways to improve the quality of life we already enjoy here. My hope is that the quality of your next stargazing adventure affirms how lucky we are here in Ketchum.

Thanks goes to Dr. Stephen Pauley, who for more than two decades has reminded us all about the wonders of the cosmos. Thanks to all the supportive and cooperative members of the community, and to partners like the cities of Stanley and Sun Valley, Blaine County, the Forest Service, the Idaho Conservation League and the Sawtooth Society.

I also want to champion our own city leaders, who years ago adopted an ordinance to require shielding of outdoor lighting fixtures and minimize light output. Kudos as well to all the residents and business leaders who were willing to adapt and ultimately embrace efforts to reduce light pollution.

These steps have made a difference, and as a result given all of us a better view of the constellations, planets and Milk Way that so brilliantly adorn our night skies.

COUNCIL AGENDA - MEETING INFORMATION - COMMENT

Stay involved in your community. Included here are links to the Monday, Nov. 6, Council agenda and Council meeting information. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. At this meeting, Council will consider approval to a number of contracts. Click on
link to access the staff reports. Council will also discuss a proposal presented by Intermountain Gas to run a new gas line through Ketchum.

It is the responsibility of the City to inform the public and gain public input. We encourage you to provide the City with your opinion and comments by attending Monday's meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Ketchum City Hall, 480 East Ave. N., or by sending
an email to:
participate@ketchumidaho.org.

CITY SKATEPARK REOPENS WITH NEW FEATURES AND PUBLIC ART

The Guy Coles Skatepark is open for business once again, with more terrain and features for skaters and some of the City's newest displays of public art.

The park, originally built in 1995 and the first public skatepark in Idaho, reopened on Oct. 27 after a two-month project to expand the park and add a series of new rails, elevated ramps and square-footage to the existing bowls.

As part of the makeover, the City introduced the latest pieces of public art: local artist Molly Snee's work includes colorfully painted scenes on a concrete obelisk tracing the history of skateboarding dating back to the 1970s.

"It's exciting to see the kids, and adult kids, riding on the new features at the park. Also the City of Ketchum Arts Commission's inclusion of art within the skatepark combines art and recreation beautifully. Thank you very much for their thoughtful application of The Percent for Art," said Mayor Nina Jonas.

The expansion of Guy Coles Skate Park got rolling this summer when the City Council approved spending $127,000 to hire an Oregon firm to design, engineer and carry out the project. The City covered $40,000 of that cost and $40,000 was contributed by the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency.

The remaining sum was covered by the Guy Coles Skate Park Trust Fund, the City's Parks and Recreation Miscellaneous Donations Trust Fund, as well as private fundraising efforts lead by City Councilmember Jim Slanetz and the Board Bin.

The public art component is tied to the City's "Percent for Art" ordinance, initially passed in 2011 and updated in 2014 to designate up to 5 percent of the total cost of a capital project for public art displays.

The skatepark was previously upgraded in 2005 when two concrete bowls were added.

CITY FELLOWSHIP FOCUSES ON INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCIES

For the next five months, Adam Baljevich will be figuring out the best way to increase energy efficiency in the three Street Department buildings in town.

The challenge for the 30-year-old Stanford University graduate student is evident in the department's annual energy bills. The cost for electricity runs about $6,300 per year. The 12-month bill for natural gas consumption runs another $8,200.

"The biggest period for the natural gas bill is December through March, the middle of winter, and accounts for $6,000 alone during that period for all three buildings," Baljevich said. "Winter is a huge spender here for natural gas. That's the one I really want to go after."

Baljevich, a Chicago suburb native, arrived in Ketchum in late August, the latest graduate-level student to take advantage of the City's fellowship program. Last year, the City asked the fellowship candidate to study and draft a report on the impact of the short-term rental market on the City's overall rental inventory.

For Baljevich, the goal is to help the City find ways to save energy. His first project involved reviewing the proposal for installing solar panels at the Atkinson Park Recreation Building, which he projects can generate an average of 23,000 kilowatt hours annually during a 25-year lifetime.

Now, he's turning his attention to the Street Department facilities. The department operates out of three warehouse-style buildings, each of which possess different efficiency challenges.

"Warehouses are tough because there's so much space involved," he said. "They are tough to make efficient in the first place. Each of them have the standard efficiencies in place, but in a cold climate like this, standard is not always the ideal."

"So, my job really will be to look for ways big and small to increase efficiency."

While it's too early to predict his prescription for energy savings, Baljevich says he will consider the full spectrum of options, from solar panels to new insulation and warehouse doors to adding windows to take advantage of the heating gains and lighting provided by natural light.

"Hopefully we can get a strategy and plan together by the end of this year and begin implementing it in the spring," said Baljevich, who will coordinate with the volunteers on the Ketchum Energy Advisory Committee.

Along with putting his academic interests to work in the real world, Baljevich said it's a bonus for him to help a City committed to increasing efficiency across the spectrum.

In 2015, the City Council adopted a series of conservation goals, including achieving a 50 percent per capita reduction in energy use across the community and 75 percent reduction in energy use in City operations.

"The City has good goals that have been set," he said. "They are definitely ahead of the curve compared to what I've seen from other cities in Idaho. It's also good to see the City leading by example on this."

Outside the office, you can expect to find Baljevich enjoying his first-ever experience living in a western mountain town.

City to Honor Winners of Youth Photo Contest

October was Children's Health Month and to help promote children living physically, mentally and emotionally healthy lives, the city offered to acknowledge the winners of a photo contest.

The goal of the contest was simple: capture images of kids doing healthy things.

We collaborated with Hemingway STEAM School students and challenged them to find their inner shutterbug. They responded.

On November 6th, the City Council will recognize the winners for their effort, creativity and keen photo skills. And congratulations to the winners:

1st Place: Maya Ouellett

2nd Place: Lizeth Trujillo Sanchez

3rd Place: Citlalli Armenta Delgado

Mini Golf is Top Vote Getter for Walking Challenge Prize

We have a winner in the vote for top prize as part of the annual Mayor's Walking Challenge.

Every Wednesday during the month of October, Mayor Nina Jonas joined students at Hemingway Elementary School to get out and walk to promote Children's Health Month.

Mayors across Idaho also competed during the month, with the top finishers winning money that could be used toward projects voted upon by students. Mayor Jonas finished third out of a field of 42 mayors, logging an average of more than 24,200 steps per day.

The contest paid each mayor who walked more than 10,000 steps per day $1,000 prize to be used toward a children's physical activity.

Hemingway students got a chance to determine how the prize money should be used. After the student ballots were counted, the winner, by a landslide, was Mini Golf, which collected 69 votes and easily outpaced Rainbow Day, Avalanche Class and STEAM books.

The Mayor has set aside $5,000 in the FY 2018 budget to put toward planning a mini golf course. Kids will be asked to help in the design.

BUSINESS NEWS

W. Edwards Deming Institute at KIC

An 8-hour immersion program for management leaders by the W. Edwards Deming Institute takes place at the Ketchum Innovation Center on Monday, Nov. 6, from 12-5 p.m. (Session 1) and Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Session 2).

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters in Ketchum will have the opportunity to vote for mayor and two city councilmembers.
Visit ketchumidaho.org/election for registration information.

RFP EXTENDED - December 29, 2017 at 3 p.m.

The City is requesting proposals for a development project that could consist of rental community housing and public parking, a public parking structure or a land swap for its property at 6th St. and Leadville Ave. Visit ketchumidaho.org/rfp for full description. Submittal deadline has been extended to Dec. 29 at 3 p.m.

Invitations to Bid

The City has issued an invitation to bid for holiday light installation and removal. Visit ketchumidaho.org/rfp for detailed request. Submittal deadline is Monday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m.

Attend the next City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month in Ketchum City Hall. Click here to see the agenda and staff reports or scan the QR code.

Planning and Zoning Commission

Attend the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13. P&Z meetings are held on the second Monday of each month in Ketchum City Hall. Click here for agendas and staff reports or scan the QR code.

Public Comment

If you cannot attend the Council or P&Z meetings and would like to express an opinion, please submit your comments via email to participate@ketchumidaho.org. Your input and engagement is encouraged. All comments will be reviewed.

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